We hope this little page of facts will be helpful for anyone thinking about planning a wedding or giving advice to others about marriage in the Catholic Church.

Weddings can only be arranged in our parishes after first speaking Father Lappin or Reverend Morrison. This is a basic rule of thumb about arranging a wedding, to speak with your own parish priest first. If neither of the couple live in the parish, you will also need to speak with the parish priest of where either one of the couple live at present, as the parish priest of where you are living now will be responsible for all the pre-marriage formalities.

Again, another very simple rule of thumb for Catholics is, regardless of whom they are marrying, for a Catholic to enter a valid marriage that Catholic must exchange consent before the properly deputed person (usually the bishop, priest or deacon) and two witnesses.

All couples marrying here, in our parish, should give good notice of their intention to marry so that their date can be guaranteed and all the necessary paperwork and preparation can be completed on time. (This is normally 6 Months minimum notice)

It's good to have a think about what is at the heart of marriage and to what it is basically that couples give their consent.

Marriage is a union between one man and one woman for life.

It is a union that is entered by those capable of exchanging consent with the intention of lifelong fidelity to the other person,

of permanence,

and with the intention of bearing and raising children while mutually promoting the well-being of each other.

These qualities make marriage unique, like no other institution or way of life.

Anyone considering marriage should have a good think about what marriage is, before they enter into it. It must be entered freely and with the best of clear motives, without condition or confusion.

Parishioners are free to marry whomsoever they wish provided neither party to a marriage is prohibited by the law of the church or the law of the land. The priests will be happy to clarify any issues in this area when you come to speak with them.